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ArsenalexpandChinapartnership

24 Mar 2017

BNN Technology, our official lottery partner in China, has expanded its relationship with the club.

The new deal affords the Chinese technology, content and services company the chance to deliver unique content, develop coaching programmes and provide ‘money-can’t-buy’ VIP experiences for Chinese football fans while also offering exclusive competitions through the Xinhua News mobile app.

The partnership is a major step in BNN’s strategy to support grassroots football in China by developing large public participation programmes focused on enhancing coaching standards in the country. BNN’s Chinese technology partner NewNet will manage a new ‘coach the coaches’ programme, offering in the first year up to 250 Chinese football coaches the opportunity to be further trained by qualified Arsenal coaches.

The programme is open to any coach already involved with a football team in China, regardless of their levels of expertise. Applicants may participate via a nomination process hosted on a microsite on the Xinhua News app. The individuals with the greatest number of votes are selected to attend the training camps.

The expanded agreement also allows BNN, supported by NewNet, to provide a range of Arsenal content to the Xinhua News app, including one-to-one manager interviews before games, pre-match press conferences, weekly training footage and monthly bespoke coaching videos. In addition, Chinese fans will be offered opportunities to win, through free-to-enter prize draws, fully-paid VIP trips to watch us play at Emirates Stadium, as well as competitions to win exclusive merchandise such as shirts and signed footballs.

Vinai Venkatesham, chief commercial officer of Arsenal FC, said: “We have enjoyed a fruitful relationship with BNN since welcoming the group to our family of partners in 2015 and are delighted to expand the partnership. As a club we have a huge and incredibly passionate supporter base in China; we have tremendous engagement with our Mandarin-language website and over 5million followers across the major Chinese social media platforms.

"Interest in the Premier League will continue to grow, and by expanding our partnership with BNN we are delighted to support the development of football in China through the provision of structured coach education programmes by Arsenal coaches. BNN has shown enormous commitment to China’s mission for football and we look forward to working with the group to help deliver this exciting vision.”

Darren Mercer, chief executive of BNN Technology, said: “I am delighted that we are expanding our relationship with Arsenal, one of Europe’s top clubs, to help BNN play a wider role in supporting China’s football ambitions while also delivering first class content to the Xinhua News app.

"Arsenal’s heritage, ethos and coaching style will be invaluable as our Chinese operating partner NewNet builds a programme that will ultimately improve coaching standards throughout China . We firmly believe that football is a powerful force for promoting social engagement, enriching day-to-day lives and in turn strengthening the base of our consumer focused operations.”

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